Replaced pads on wifes Jeep last week. Hadn't done any for a while, but am curious as to something new (to me) on the caliper bracket. Where the pads slide in, a thin, removable piece of metal molded to fit bracket. Made it pretty tough to get pads in. Is this some sort of anti-rattle shim? Noticed it was also on a 2005 GMC 3/4 pickup my grandson was repairing. Should I have replaced it with a new one when I did the pads? Try to take care of my own vehicles, but at age 70, technology is advancing faster than my brain. Thanks to all.

 

Those shims are there to make a nice shiny slick surface for your calipers to ride on. A quality set of replacement pads usually comes with new ones. You cleaned and greased 'em up good, right?

 

Thanks. Just wondered about the purpose. Were already clean and shiny, and never thought about greasing them. Felt more like throwing them in garbage. Anyway, thanks for info.

 

You really should use some high temp brake grease on those sliders.. your wife will be upset if her new pads wear out in a few months. There are no springs to pull the pads back off the rotors, so you really need that grease in there to allow the caliper/pads to "relax" and not stick in the on position.

 

Can't get to it now, but will remember this tip. This may be the reason the left rear sometimes continues to squeal after using brakes. Was expecting to have to replace a hose or caliper.
Thanks kjc

 

It's nice to know Chrysler (Fiat) actually though enough about the caliper bracket wear problem to add shims. Older jeep's caliper brackets would get wear grooves in them from the pad ears riding directly on them. You either had to replace the brackets or weld the grooves up and regrind them.